Genus Phyciodes 



the spots of the upper side in paler tints. Of the spots of the under 

 side of the wings one of the most characteristic is the pale crescent 

 situated on the outer margin of the hind wings, 

 between the ends of the second and third me- 

 dian nervules. This spot is frequently pearly- 

 white or silvered. Structurally the butterflies of 

 this genus may be distinguished from the pre- 

 ceding genus by the enlarged second joint of the 

 palpi and the very fine, extremely pointed third 

 joint. In the neuration of the wings and in their 

 habits these butterflies closely approximate 

 Melita'a. Fig. 92.— Neura- 



Eggs. — The eggs are always higher than ^ion of the genus 

 broad, with the surface at the base more or ^'^"'^ 

 less pitted, giving them a thimble-like appearance. On the 

 upper end in some species they have a few short, vertical ridges, 

 radiating from the micropyle. 



Caterpillar. — The caterpillar is cylindrical, marked with pale 

 longitudinal stripes upon a darker ground, and adorned with 

 tubercles arranged in regular rows. These tubercles are generally 

 much shorter than in the genus Melita^a. The caterpillars do not, 

 so far as is known, weave webs at any time. 



Chrysalis. — The chrysalis is pendant, with the head slightly 

 bifid. The dorsal region of the abdomen is provided with slight 

 tubercles. The color is generally some shade of pale gray, 

 blotched with black or dark brown. 



This genus finds its principal development in South and Cen- 

 tral America, which are very rich in species, some of them 

 mimicking in a most marvelous manner the butterflies of the pro- 

 tected genus Heliconius and its allies. The species found in the 

 United States and Canada are for the most part not very gaily 

 colored insects, chaste shades of brown, or yellow, and black 

 predominating. 



(i ) Phyciodes nycteis, Doubleday and Hewitson, Plate XVII, 

 Fig. 28, S , tinder side; Fig. 29, 6 ; Fig. jo, ? ; Plate V, Fig. 

 19, chrysalis (Nycteis). 



Butterfly. — On the upper side very closely resembling Melita^a 

 harrisi, for which it may easily be mistaken upon the wing. The 

 under side of the hind wings is very different, and may at once 

 be distinguished by the lighter color of the base of the wing, 



151 



